President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has proposed the establishment of a standby force within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to tackle the rise of coups in member states.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the second Africa Security Conference and Exhibition, held in Accra, on Wednesday, President Akufo-Addo emphasized that the inauguration of a standby force for ECOWAS will help to safeguard regional stability and security.
He added that the presence of a force would act as a formidable deterrent against the forces that seek to destabilise the region through unconstitutional means, as well as those who perpetuate violence through terrorism and insurgencies.
President Akufo-Addo believes a functional force would have prevented the series of military coups that have disrupted the political landscape of several West African nations.
“At the last summit, the ECOWAS authority agreed to bring the ECOWAS standby force into being as soon as possible. I have no doubt that had it been in existence earlier, it would have served as a deterrent to the multiplicity of coups and the spread of terrorism.
“The establishment of this force is essential for maintaining regional stability and security. It will enable ECOWAS to respond swiftly and effectively to threats, uphold democratic governance, and promote peace across West Africa,” he noted.
Currently, the military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have withdrawn from the West African bloc.
The leaders of the three Sahel nations stated on Sunday, January 28, 2024, that it was a “sovereign decision” to leave the Economic Community of West African States “without delay”.
Story By Grace Tsotsoo Quaye
